KEY POINTS
- Wike’s performance as FCT minister, says AGF Fagbemi, should be applauded, noting the governor to be a results driven leader.
- Nigerian Law School gets two new hostels as Wike approves 2025 funds.
- The Nigerian Law School should also be allowed to receive funds from TETFund, according to calls.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has the reputation of delivering tangible results and this is why he has continued to perform; Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Latif Fagbemi (SAN) has said.
‘Whether the public like or dislike Wike, his performance as a minister is beyond reproach,’ Fagbemi insists.
These were the words of the AGF at the flag off ceremony of design and construction of 10 blocks of staff quarters at Nigerian Law School, Bwari, Abuja. Senior members of the judiciary and members of the National Assembly were among those who attended the event.
“We may not like him but we can’t deny that he’s actually playing,” Fagbemi said. “Mr. Project does not take on projects for which he does not have money. He is a crusader of ‘if you do not have money do not award the contract.’ You won’t find worth in the figure in the bank, it’s the amount that you touch lives is.”
Legal education facilites
I can say this because I will act as a lawyer in the future and here I will upgrade the education facilities of the students so that one day when they will be working then it will be beneficial for them.
Nyesom Wike, FCT Minister has personally seen to the improvement of infrastructure at the Nigerian Law School. As part of the efforts, he had also approved for the building of two new student hostels, one for males and the other for females, at the same institution. The projects had already been included in the 2025 budget, Wike said.
I saw the dilapidated buildings in which future lawyers are being trained to comport themselves when I visited the last call to bar. Wike said it was unacceptable. “It’s a federal school, and I don’t see anything wrong with the federal government providing a facility for a federal school.”
FCT Minister reiterated his commitment to ensuring contracts are completed to their stated end, not abandoned after they are awarded.
‘Should awards be made, and contracts and jobs completed, and not abandoned and money spent on government, and suffering of people should continue,’ he also said.
Law school will benefit from TETFund calls
In addition, he called for the inclusion of the Nigerian Law School, which he said was a long overdue beneficiary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
He argued that Nigerian Law School was excluded from TETfund when others, like the universities, polytechnics and colleges of education that are benefiting from the intervention agency are well known institutions.
It’s getting too late for the Nigerian Law School to become a beneficiary of TETFund.” Wike said it’s not too late to amend the TETFund status to accommodate the school.
Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Adegboyega Awomolo backed his statement, commending Wike for his contributions to the judiciary. Those memories will prove to be lies and at the appropriate time history will write your name in gold.” Awomolo further says Wike will be one of those who will not be forgotten in the FCT for what he is doing.
Deliverable in 6 months, staff accommodation
The FCT administration commissioned the construction of 10 blocks of fully furnished four bedroom staff quarters which are part of the broader effort to improve the Nigerian Law School’s infrastructure.
Richard Unana, the acting Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Law School, said the original delivery timeline for the project was nine months. But the contractor has promised to finish it in six months.
Expected to ease out accommodation issues of Law School’s staff who are currently residing in substandard housing. Stakeholders had been assured that funding has already been secured for the project to avoid unnecessary delays, Wike said.
